Khodorkovsky refused obligations to Putin after his mother’s death – RBC

The former head of Yukos, Mikhail Khodorkovsky

Photo: REUTERS 2015

During the press conference on Wednesday, December 9, Mikhail Khodorkovsky said that he no longer considers itself bound not to engage in politics.

«I took a commitment and I sang it: not to take part in political life, and engage in family affairs at the time, which I was given the decision of [Vladimir] Putin [pardon]. This time I needed due to the fact that my mother was in a difficult situation, and, alas, unfortunately, she left in August, more than a year ago, “- said Khodorkovsky (quoted by” Interfax “). Since then, he said, he “does not exist any obligation.” Former Yukos CEO also said that in August last year, officially ended his prison term.

At the same time, Khodorkovsky said that political activities he was not interested and he “is not interested to engage in politics.” “Unfortunately, the situation is such that professional people who were involved in opposition politics, this function mostly can not be performed. And just look at what is happening in our country, I, as a citizen of Russia, too, can not “- said the businessman. Therefore, Khodorkovsky said he is committed to his “not interested and do not like.”

Mikhail Khodorkovsky was arrested in 2003 and two years later was found guilty under several articles of the Criminal Code. In total, he spent ten years in prison. In December 2013, Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree to pardon him. After his release Khodorkovsky, once I flew to Europe, where he obtained a residence permit in Switzerland. According to him, one of the conditions of his pardon was a commitment to abandon political activity.

Last December, during a big press conference, Russian President Vladimir Putin was asked about the political activities of Mikhail Khodorkovsky. Putin said that the decision to pardon the former head of Yukos was made for humanitarian reasons, it can engage in politics, including the claim to the highest positions, Putin said. “Khodorkovsky has appealed for clemency. And like not going to engage in politics, but I, when decisions are made about the pardon did not come from the fact that it may or may not be or may not be involved in politics, it’s his choice, and he has the right to do so, as well as Any citizen of the Russian Federation “, – said the president.

In September last when Khodorkovsky announced the restart of its project” Open Russia “, created in 2001 and ceased operations in 2005. In addition to the human rights project began work site organization with its own editorial staff, which publishes news, blogs and videos. “Open Russia” conducts public lectures, round tables, etc. In the summer, it was announced that Khodorkovsky along with politician Alexei Navalny money will help political prisoners. On the eve of regional elections in autumn this year, started the project “Open elections” ready observers to the elections.

8 December Khodorkovsky said that he was charged in absentia for the murder of Nefteyugansk Mayor Vladimir Petukhov. According to the businessman, the agenda of which was received by his father, he said that on December 11, Khodorkovsky should come to TFR “for questioning as a defendant in a criminal case №18 / 35-03». Source RBC confirmed that the production for the murder of Petukhov. An informed source “Interfax”, in turn, said that the law enforcement authorities in the Khodorkovsky declared the federal wanted list. The interlocutor of the agency said that in the future TFR can declare helper affairs in the international search and apply for his arrest in absentia.

Khodorkovsky himself during a press conference on December 9 announced that a new criminal case connected with the necessity of power ” Change agenda. “” The government is trying to change the agenda. The irritation causes the activity of the “Open Russia”. Already there were police raids and arrests of employees, “- said Khodorkovsky.